Bush Library Project

President R. Gerald Turner speaks to reporters about the site selection process.

Not long after President George W. Bush took office, SMU began researching presidential libraries, recognizing that such an asset on campus would provide valuable resources for research. Throughout the selection process, SMU President R. Gerald Turner has emphasized that the library would be an opportunity to house the history of an era.

“In preserving and sharing documents and artifacts, the Bush Presidential Library at SMU would be a tremendous resource for the study of presidential decision-making in this post 9-11 world,”Turner says.

“Having the unique resources of a presidential library on campus would be a great benefit as we focus on attracting resources to increase our national competitiveness for the best students and faculty, enhance research productivity and enrich the campus experience.”

Presidential libraries and museums are funded by private donations and then operated by the National Archives and Records Administration. The Selection Committee has indicated that the Bush Library complex would include an institute operated by the private Bush Foundation.

“No matter one’s political affiliation, the library would offer SMU students opportunities for a unique educational experience, says Carl Sewell (’66), chair of SMU’s Board of Trustees. “If SMU is chosen as the site, the University would become even more of a resource for learning, and the library would strengthen Dallas as an important global destination.”